PHILADELPHIA – Eagles coach Doug Pederson sure made it seem like he'll stick with Nick Foles as the starting quarterback for the rest of the season – and that includes the playoffs.

Pederson said Monday that Foles will start the season finale against Washington on Sunday, but wouldn't commit beyond that. Foles has replaced Carson Wentz, who has a stress fracture in his back, and led the Eagles to two straight victories to keep their playoff hopes alive.

In order to get into the playoffs, the Eagles (8-7) have to beat the Redskins (7-8) and the Minnesota Vikings (8-6-1) have to lose to the Chicago Bears (10-5).

Pederson reiterated that Wentz will play when healthy, but he also left himself an out should the Eagles get into the playoffs, considering how well Foles is playing.

Foles threw for a franchise-record 471 yards Sunday in the Eagles' 32-30 win over the Houston Texans.

"Those are obviously conversations we gotta have," Pederson said on taking out Foles if Wentz is ready for the playoffs. "They’re tough decisions to make. I’ve said all along that Carson is our guy. And if he’s cleared and 100 percent and ready to go, then we’ll address that at that time."

Notice that Pederson said 100 percent. That leaves some wiggle room. Pederson used the phrase "natural time of healing," alluding to rest, on more than one occasion Monday.

When Wentz's injury was first announced two weeks ago, Pederson said it could take as long as three months to heal, with rest, and that surgery was not necessary.

Last week, Pederson said the team got "positive" news regarding Wentz's timeframe for recovery. But when asked more directly about that on Monday, Pederson responded: "It’s kind of, as he goes through this natural healing process and rest and everything, we’ll … continue to evaluate him, and we’ll see where he’s at.

"Right now, Nick is the guy, and we’re going to finish at least this last game with Nick, and then we’ll evaluate next week again."

“You know what, that’s all up to Coach," Foles said. "I’ll let him talk on everything.”

But Foles also knows that he might have played his last game at Lincoln Financial Field as an Eagle, calling this experience "some of the most special moments of my life."

The Eagles, however, have a $20 million option on Foles' contract for next season. If Wentz is the franchise quarterback, like the Eagles say, then Foles' contract is an exorbitant amount for a backup.

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Foles stellar in likely last home game as Eagle
Kevin Tresolini, The News Journal

Besides, Foles has said in the past that he wants to start again. There should be plenty of suitors considering the way Foles has played these last two games and during the Eagles' Super Bowl run last year. Foles replaced Wentz last December after Wentz tore two knee ligaments.

Pederson also said that Foles has the perfect mentality for leading a team.

"You gotta have a lot of courage," he said. "You gotta have a lot of faith as a quarterback being able to throw some of those balls … That’s the mentality that Nick has right now. He just wants to distribute the ball. As you guys know, he doesn’t want the credit. He gives the credit to his teammates. He does a lot of good that way.

"That’s a lot of what a backup quarterback – and right now he’s a starter, so he’s not necessarily a backup. But the mentality is, you want to be able to come in and execute the offense, and let the offense work. You don’t have to be, or do, anything differently than that. I think that’s what you’re seeing right now."

Pederson pointed to the two "jump-ball" type catches that Alshon Jeffery made with Foles – the first on a 50-yard reception against the Rams on Dec. 16, the second on a critical 3rd-and-10 from the Eagles' 11 with less than two minutes left against the Texans. That play went for 19 yards and a first down to keep alive the Eagles' game-winning field-goal drive.

On both plays, Foles got leveled as he threw the ball. On Sunday, he was down on the ground for a few minutes before coming off the field for a play. Then he came back in and continued the drive, hitting tight end Zach Ertz for a 20-yard completion, again on a 3rd-and-10, to get the Eagles in field-goal range.

That's not to say that Wentz doesn't have those qualities. But right now, the Eagles are in the midst of a playoff run, and they're sticking with Foles.

Lane Johnson's sleepover

Eagles right tackle Lane Johnson told reporters after the game that when he was not named to the Pro Bowl last Tuesday, he was upset and decided to sleep over at the team's practice facility, arriving at about 2:30 a.m.

Philadelphia Eagles' Nelson Agholor runs for a touchdown after making a catch against Houston Texans' Tyrann Mathieu during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 23, 2018, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Michael Perez) Michael Perez, AP

Philadelphia Eagles' Zach Ertz, left, celebrates with Golden Tate after a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Houston Texans, Sunday, Dec. 23, 2018, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Michael Perez) Michael Perez, AP

Philadelphia Eagles' Nelson Agholor catches a pass during the second half of an NFL football game against the Houston Texans, Sunday, Dec. 23, 2018, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Michael Perez) Michael Perez, AP

Philadelphia Eagles' Zach Ertz, left, celebrates with Stefen Wisniewski after Ertz's touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Houston Texans, Sunday, Dec. 23, 2018, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke) Matt Rourke, AP

Philadelphia Eagles' LaRoy Reynolds, left, and Deiondre' Hall celebrate during the second half of an NFL football game against the Houston Texans, Sunday, Dec. 23, 2018, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke) Matt Rourke, AP

Philadelphia Eagles' Chris Long reacts after a sack during the second half of an NFL football game against the Houston Texans, Sunday, Dec. 23, 2018, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Michael Perez) Michael Perez, AP

Philadelphia Eagles' personnel check on Nick Foles during the second half of an NFL football game against the Houston Texans, Sunday, Dec. 23, 2018, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke) Matt Rourke, AP

Philadelphia Eagles' Nick Foles celebrates as he runs off the field after an NFL football game against the Houston Texans, Sunday, Dec. 23, 2018, in Philadelphia. Philadelphia won 32-30. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke) Matt Rourke, AP

Philadelphia Eagles' Jason Kelce lines up to snap during the first half of an NFL football game against the Houston Texans, Sunday, Dec. 23, 2018, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Michael Perez) Michael Perez, AP

Philadelphia Eagles' Dallas Goedert reacts after missing a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Houston Texans, Sunday, Dec. 23, 2018, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke) Matt Rourke, AP

Philadelphia Eagles' Zach Ertz (86) celebrates with Jason Kelce (62) and Alshon Jeffery (17) after a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Houston Texans, Sunday, Dec. 23, 2018, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke) Matt Rourke, AP

Philadelphia Eagles' Zach Ertz reacts after scoring a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Houston Texans, Sunday, Dec. 23, 2018, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke) Matt Rourke, AP

Philadelphia Eagles' Zach Ertz reacts after catching a pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Houston Texans, Sunday, Dec. 23, 2018, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Michael Perez) Michael Perez, AP

Houston Texans' Deshaun Watson in action during the first half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Dec. 23, 2018, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Michael Perez) Michael Perez, AP

Philadelphia Eagles head coach Doug Pederson looks on from the sidelines during the first half of an NFL football game against the Houston Texans, Sunday, Dec. 23, 2018, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Michael Perez) Michael Perez, AP

Philadelphia Eagles' Wendell Smallwood in action during the first half of an NFL football game against the Houston Texans, Sunday, Dec. 23, 2018, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Michael Perez) Michael Perez, AP

Johnson, who was named as a Pro Bowl alternate, then neutralized Texans' pass rusher J.J. Watt, who did not have a sack. Watt came into the game tied for second in the NFL with 14.5 sacks.

"I was aware that he came in. I thought it was kind of odd," Pederson said with a laugh. "But I think last week, he wanted to prove a point to himself and maybe the voters out there that he’s a pretty good tackle. We think he’s a pretty good tackle."

Injury updates

The Eagles activated WR Mike Wallace off injured reserve on Monday. He went on IR after breaking his leg against Tampa Bay on Sept. 16. The Eagles also promoted CB Josh Hawkins from the practice squad to the 53-man roster.

To make room, the Eagles released DBs De’Vante Bausby and Chandon Sullivan.

Also, Pederson said left tackle Jason Peters, who left the game in the first quarter with a quadriceps injury, will be day to day this week. In addition, left guard Isaac Seumalo, who missed the last two games with a pectoral injury, will also be considered day to day, meaning there's a chance he can play against Washington. Pederson wasn't as optimistic on cornerback Sidney Jones, who has missed the last two games with a hamstring injury.